i told you, said my master, what sort of an answer you'd have from pamela. the younger miss said, she never heard of such grave folks in her life, on such an occasion: why, sir, said she, i hope you'll sing psalms all day, and miss will fast and pray! such sackcloth and ashes doings, for a wedding, did i never hear of!—she spoke a little spitefully, i thought; and i returned no answer. i shall have enough to do, i reckon, in a while, if i am to answer every one that will envy me!

we went in to tea; and all that the ladies could prevail upon my master for, was a dancing match before he left this county: but miss darnford said, it should then be at their house; for, truly, if she might not be at the wedding, she would be affronted, and come no more hither, till we had been there.

when they were gone, my master would have had my father stay till the affair was over; but he begged he might set out as soon as it was light in the morning; for, he said, my mother would be doubly uneasy at his stay; and he burned with impatience to let her know all the happy things that had befallen her daughter. when my master found him so desirous to go, he called mr. thomas, and ordered him to get a particular bay horse ready betimes in the morning, for my father, and a portmanteau, to put his things in; and to attend him a day's journey: and if, said he, mr. andrews chooses it, see him safe to his own home: and, added he, since that horse will serve you, mr. andrews, to ride backwards and forwards, to see us, when we go into bedfordshire, i make you a present of it, with the accoutrements. and, seeing my father going to speak, he added, i won't be said nay. o how good was this!

he also said a great many kind things at supper-time, and gave him all the papers he had of mine; but desired, when he and my mother had read them, that he would return them to him again. and then he said, so affectionate a father and daughter may, perhaps, be glad to be alone together; therefore remember me to your good wife, and tell her, it will not be long, i hope, before i see you together; on a visit to your daughter, at my other house: and so i wish you good night, and a good journey, if you go before i see you. and then he shook hands, and left my dear father almost unable to speak, through the sense of his favours and goodness.

you may believe, my dear mother, how loath i was to part with my good father; and he was also unwilling to part with me; but he was so impatient to see you, and tell you the blessed tidings, with which his heart overflowed, that i could hardly wish to detain him.

mrs. jewkes brought two bottles of cherry-brandy, and two of cinnamon-water, and some cake; and they were put up in the portmanteau, with my father's newly presented clothes; for he said, he would not, for any thing, be seen in them in his neighbourhood, till i was actually known, by every body, to be married; nor would he lay out any part of the twenty guineas till then neither, for fear of reflections; and then he would consult me as to what he would buy. well, said i, as you please, my dear father; and i hope now we shall often have the pleasure of hearing from one another, without needing any art or contrivances.

he said, he would go to bed betimes, that he might be up as soon as it was light; and so he took leave of me, and said, he would not love me, if i got up in the morning to see him go; which would but make us both loath to part, and grieve us both all day.

mr. thomas brought him a pair of boots, and told him, he would call him up at peep of day, and put up every thing over night; and so i received his blessing, and his prayers, and his kind promises of procuring the same from you, my dear mother; and went up to my closet with a heavy heart, and yet a half-pleased one, if i may so say; for that, as he must go, he was going to the best of wives, and with the best of tidings. but i begged he would not work so hard as he had done; for i was sure my master would not have given him twenty guineas for clothes, if he had not designed to do something else for him; and that he should be the less concerned at receiving benefits, from my good master, because he, who had so many persons to employ in his large possessions, could make him serviceable, to a degree equivalent, without hurting any body else.

he promised me fair; and, pray, dear mother, see he performs. i hope my master will not see this: for i will not send it you, at present, till i can send you the best of news; and the rather, as my dear father can supply the greatest part of what i have written, since the papers he carries you, by his own observation. so good night, my dear mother: and god send my father a safe journey, and a happy meeting to you both!

monday.

mr. colbrand being returned, my master came up to me to my closet, and brought me the license. o how my heart fluttered at the sight of it! now, pamela, said he, tell me, if you can oblige me with the day. your word is all that's wanting. i made bold to kiss his dear hand; and, though unable to look up, said—i know not what to say, sir, to all your goodness: i would not, for any consideration, that you should believe me capable of receiving negligently an honour, that all the duty of a long life, were it to be lent me, will not be sufficient to enable me to be grateful for. i ought to resign myself, in every thing i may or can, implicitly to your will. but—but what? said he, with a kind impatience.—why, sir, said i, when from last thursday you mentioned four days, i had reason to think that term your choice; and my heart is so wholly yours, that i am afraid of nothing, but that i may be forwarder than you wish. impossible, my dear creature! said he, and folded me in his arms: impossible! if this be all, it shall be set about this moment, and this happy day shall make you mine!—i'll send away instantly, said the dear gentleman; and was going.

i said, no, pray, sir, pray, sir, hear me!—indeed it cannot be to-day!—cannot! said he.—no, indeed, sir! said i—and was ready to sink to see his generous impatience. why flattered you then my fond heart, replied he, with the hope that it might?—sir, said i, i will tell you what i had thought, if you'll vouchsafe me your attention. do then, said he.

i have, sir, proceeded i, a great desire, that, whenever the day is, it may be on a thursday: on a thursday my dear father and mother were married; and, though poor, they are a very happy pair.—on a thursday your poor pamela was born. on a thursday my dear good lady took me from my parents into her protection. on a thursday, sir, you caused me to be carried away to this place, to which i now, by god's goodness, and your favour, owe so amazingly all my present prospects; and on a thursday it was, you named to me, that fourteen days from that you would confirm my happiness. now, sir, if you please to indulge my superstitious folly, you will greatly oblige me. i was sorry, sir, for this reason, when you bid me not defer till the last day of the fourteen, that thursday in next week was that last day.

this, pamela, is a little superstitious, i must needs say; and i think you should begin now to make another day in the week a happy one; as for example; on a monday, may you say, my father and mother concluded to be married on the thursday following. on a monday, so many years ago, my mother was preparing all her matters to be brought to bed on the thursday following. on a monday, several weeks ago, it was that you had but two days more to stay, till you was carried away on thursday. on a monday, i myself, said he, well remember, it was that i wrote you the letter, that prevailed on you so kindly to return to me; and on the same day you did return to my house here; which i hope, my girl, will be as propitious an era as any you have named: and now, lastly, will you say, which will crown the work; and, on a monday i was married.—come, come, my dear, added he, thursday has reigned long enough o'conscience; let us now set monday in its place, or at least on an equality with it, since you see it has a very good title, and as we now stand in the week before us, claims priority: and then, i hope, we shall make tuesday, wednesday, friday, saturday, and sunday, as happy days as monday and thursday; and so, by god's blessing, move round, as the days move, in a delightful circle, till we are at a loss what day to prefer to the rest.

o how charmingly was this said!—and how sweetly kind!

indeed, sir, said i, you rally my folly very agreeably; but don't let a little matter stand in the way, when you are so generously obliging in a greater: indeed i like thursday best, if i may choose.

well, then, said he, if you can say you have a better reason than this, i will oblige you; else i'll send away for the parson this moment.

and so, i protest, he was going!—dear sirs, how i trembled! stay, stay, sir, said i: we have a great deal to say first; i have a deal of silly prate to trouble you with!—well, say then, in a minute, replied he, the most material: for all we have to say may be talked of while the parson is coming.—o, but indeed, and indeed, said i, it cannot be to-day!—well, then, shall it be to-morrow? said he.—why, sir, if it must not be on a thursday, you have given so many pleasant distinctions for a monday, that let it then be next monday.—what! a week still? said he. sir, answered i, if you please; for that will be, as you enjoined, within the second seven days. why, girl, said he, 'twill be seven months till next monday. let it, said he, if not to-morrow, be on wednesday; i protest i will stay no longer.

then, sir, returned i, please to defer it, however, for one day more, and it will be my beloved thursday! if i consent to defer it till then, may i hope, my pamela, said he, that next thursday shall certainly be the happy day?—yes, sir, said i and i am sure i looked very foolishly!

and yet, my dear father and mother, why should i, with such a fine gentleman? and whom i so dearly love? and so much to my honour too? but there is something greatly awful upon my mind, in the solemn circumstance, and a change of condition never to be recalled, though all the prospects are so desirable. and i can but wonder at the thoughtless precipitancy with which most young folks run into this important change of life!

so now, my dear parents, have i been brought to fix so near a day as next thursday; and this is monday. o dear, it makes one out of breath almost to think of it! this, though, was a great cut off; a whole week out of ten days. i hope i am not too forward! i'm sure, if it obliges my dear master, i am justified; for he deserves of me all things in my poor power.

after this, he rode out on horseback, attended by abraham, and did not return till night. how by degrees things steal upon one! i thought even this small absence tedious; and the more, as we expected him home to dinner.—i wish i may not be too fond, and make him indifferent: but yet, my dear father and mother, you were always fond of one another, and never indifferent, let the world run as it would.

when he returned, he said, he had had a pleasant ride, and was led out to a greater distance than he intended. at supper he told me, that he had a great mind mr. williams should marry us; because, he said, it would shew a thorough reconciliation on his part. but, said he, most generously, i am apprehensive, from what passed between you, that the poor man will take it hardly, and as a sort of insult, which i am not capable of. what says my girl?—do you think he would? i hope not, sir, said i: as to what he may think, i can't answer; but as to any reason for his thoughts, i can: for indeed, sir, said i, you have been already so generous, that he cannot, i think, mistake your goodness.

he then spoke with some resentment of lady davers's behaviour, and i asked, if any thing new had occurred? yes, said he; i have had a letter delivered me from her impertinent husband, professedly at her instigation, that amounted to little less than a piece of insolent bravery, on supposing i was about to marry you. i was so provoked, added he, that after i had read it, i tore it in a hundred pieces, and scattered them in the air, and bid the man who brought it let his master know what i had done with his letter; and so would not permit him to speak to me, as he would fain have done,—i think the fellow talked somewhat of his lady coming hither; but she shall not set her foot within my doors; and i suppose this treatment will hinder her.

i was much concerned at this: and he said, had i a hundred sisters, pamela, their opposition should have no weight with me: and i did not intend you should know it; but you can't but expect a little difficulty from the pride of my sister, who have suffered so much from that of her brother; and we are too nearly allied in mind, as well as blood, i find.—but this is not her business: and if she would have made it so, she should have done it with more decency. little occasion had she to boast of her birth, that knows not what belongs to good manners.

i said, i am very sorry, sir, to be the unhappy occasion of a misunderstanding between so good a brother and so worthy a sister. don't say so, pamela, because this is an unavoidable consequence of the happy prospect before us. only bear it well yourself, because she is my sister; and leave it to me to make her sensible of her own rashness.

if, sir, said i, the most lowly behaviour, and humble deportment, and in every thing shewing a dutiful regard to good lady davers, will have any weight with her ladyship, assure yourself of all in my power to mollify her. no, pamela, returned he; don't imagine, when you are my wife, i will suffer you to do any thing unworthy of that character. i know the duty of a husband, and will protect your gentleness to the utmost, as much as if you were a princess by descent.

you are inexpressibly good, sir, said i; but i am far from taking a gentle disposition to shew a meanness of spirit: and this is a trial i ought to expect; and well i may bear it, that have so many benefits to set against it, which all spring from the same cause.

well, said he, all the matter shall be this: we will talk of our marriage as a thing to be done next week. i find i have spies upon me wherever i go, and whatever i do: but now, i am on so laudable a pursuit, that i value them not, nor those who employ them. i have already ordered my servants to have no conference with any body for ten or twelve days to come. and mrs. jewkes tells me every one names thursday come se'nnight for our nuptials. so i will get mr. peters, who wants to see my little chapel, to assist mr. williams, under the notion of breakfasting with me next thursday morning, since you won't have it sooner; and there will nobody else be wanting; and i will beg of mr. peters to keep it private, even from his own family, for a few days. has my girl any objection?

o, sir, answered i, you are so generous in all your ways, i can have no objections!—but i hope lady davers and you will not proceed to irreconcilable lengths; and when her ladyship comes to see you, and to tarry with you, two or three weeks, as she used to do, i will keep close up, so as not to disgust her with the sight of me.

well, pamela, said he, we will talk of that afterwards. you must do then as i shall think fit: and i shall be able to judge what both you and i ought to do. but what still aggravates the matter is, that she should instigate the titled ape her husband to write to me, after she had so little succeeded herself. i wish i had kept his letter, that i might have shewn you how a man, that generally acts like a fool, can take upon him to write like a lord. but i suppose it is of my sister's penning, and he, poor man! is the humble copier.

tuesday.

mr. thomas is returned from you, my dear father, with the good news of your health, and your proceeding in your journey to my dear mother, where i hope to hear soon you are arrived. my master has just now been making me play upon the spinnet, and sing to it; and was pleased to commend me for both. but he does so for every thing i do, so partial does his goodness make him to me.

one o'clock.

we are just returned from an airing in the chariot; and i have been delighted with his conversation upon english authors, poets particularly. he entertained me also with a description of some of the curiosities he had seen in italy and france, when he made what the polite world call the grand tour. he said he wanted to be at his other seat, for he knew not well how to employ himself here, having not proposed to stay half the time: and when i get there, pamela, said he, you will hardly be troubled with so much of my company, after we have settled; for i have a great many things to adjust: and i must go to london; for i have accounts that have run on longer than ordinary with my banker there. and i don't know, added he, but the ensuing winter i may give you a little taste of the diversions of the town for a month or so. i said, his will and pleasure should determine mine; and i never would, as near as i could, have a desire after those, or any other entertainments that were not in his own choice.

he was pleased to say, i make no doubt but that i shall be very happy in you; and hope you will be so in me: for, said he, i have no very enormous vices to gratify; though i pretend not to the greatest purity, neither, my girl. sir, said i, if you can account to your own mind, i shall always be easy in whatever you do. but our greatest happiness here, sir, continued i, is of very short duration; and this life, at the longest, is a poor transitory one; and i hope we shall be so happy as to be enabled to look forward, with comfort, to another, where our pleasures will be everlasting.

you say well, pamela; and i shall, by degrees, be more habituated to this way of thinking, as i more and more converse with you; but, at present, you must not be over serious with me all at once: though i charge you never forbear to mingle your sweet divinity in our conversation, whenever it can be brought in a propos, and with such a cheerfulness of temper, as shall not throw a gloomy cloud over our innocent enjoyments.

i was abashed at this, and silent, fearing i had offended: but he said, if you attend rightly to what i said, i need not tell you again, pamela, not to be discouraged from suggesting to me, on every proper occasion, the pious impulses of your own amiable mind. sir, said i, you will be always indulgent, i make no doubt, to my imperfections, so long as i mean well.

my master made me dine with him, and would eat nothing but what i helped him to; and my heart is, every hour, more and more enlarged with his goodness and condescension. but still, what ails me, i wonder! a strange sort of weight hangs upon my mind, as thursday draws on, which makes me often sigh involuntarily, and damps, at times, the pleasures of my delightful prospects!—i hope this is not ominous; but only the foolish weakness of an over-thoughtful mind, on an occasion the most solemn and important of one's life, next to the last scene, which shuts up all.

i could be very serious: but i will commit all my ways to that blessed providence, which hitherto has so wonderfully conducted me through real evils to this hopeful situation.

i only fear, and surely i have great reason, that i shall be too unworthy to hold the affections of so dear a gentleman!—god teach me humility, and to know my own demerit! and this will be, next to his grace, my surest guard, in the state of life to which, though most unworthy, i am going to be exalted. and don't cease your prayers for me, my dear parents; for, perhaps, this new condition may be subject to still worse hazards than those i have escaped; as would be the case, were conceitedness, vanity, and pride, to take hold of my frail heart; and if i was, for my sins, to be left to my own conduct, a frail bark in a tempestuous ocean, without ballast, or other pilot than my own inconsiderate will. but my master said, on another occasion, that those who doubted most, always erred least; and i hope i shall always doubt my own strength, my own worthiness.

i will not trouble you with twenty sweet agreeable things that passed in conversation with my excellent benefactor; nor with the civilities of m. colbrand, mrs. jewkes, and all the servants, who seem to be highly pleased with me, and with my conduct to them: and as my master, hitherto, finds no fault that i go too low, nor they that i carry it too high, i hope i shall continue to have every body's good-will: but yet will i not seek to gain any one's by little meannesses or debasements! but aim at an uniform and regular conduct, willing to conceal involuntary errors, as i would have my own forgiven; and not too industrious to discover real ones, or to hide such, if any such should appear, as might encourage bad hearts, or unclean hands, in material cases, where my master should receive damage, or where the morals of the transgressors should appear wilfully and habitually corrupt. in short, i will endeavour, as much as i can, that good servants shall find in me a kind encourager; indifferent ones be made better, by inspiring them with a laudable emulation; and bad ones, if not too bad in nature, and quite irreclaimable, reformed by kindness, expostulation, and even proper menaces, if necessary; but most by a good example: all this if god pleases.

wednesday.

now, my dear parents, i have but this one day between me and the most solemn rite that can be performed. my heart cannot yet shake off this heavy weight. sure i am ungrateful to the divine goodness, and the favour of the best of benefactors!—yet i hope i am not!—for, at times, my mind is all exultation, with the prospect of what good to-morrow's happy solemnity may possibly, by the leave of my generous master, put it in my power to do. o how shall i find words to express, as i ought, my thankfulness, for all the mercies before me!

wednesday evening.

my dear master is all love and tenderness. he sees my weakness, and generously pities and comforts me! i begged to be excused supper; but he brought me down himself from my closet, and placed me by him, bidding abraham not wait. i could not eat, and yet i tried, for fear he should be angry. he kindly forbore to hint any thing of the dreadful, yet delightful to-morrow! and put, now and then, a little bit on my plate, and guided it to my mouth. i was concerned to receive his goodness with so ill a grace. well, said he, if you won't eat with me, drink at least with me: i drank two glasses by his over-persuasions, and said, i am really ashamed of myself. why, indeed, said he, my dear girl, i am not a very dreadful enemy, i hope! i cannot bear any thing that is the least concerning to you. oh, sir! said i, all is owing to the sense i have of my own unworthiness!—to be sure, it cannot be any thing else.

he rung for the things to be taken away; and then reached a chair, and sat down by me, and put his kind arms about me, and said the most generous and affecting things that ever dropt from the honey-flowing mouth of love. all i have not time to repeat: some i will. and oh! indulge your foolish daughter, who troubles you with her weak nonsense; because what she has to say, is so affecting to her; and because, if she went to bed, instead of scribbling, she could not sleep.

this sweet confusion and thoughtfulness in my beloved pamela, said the kind man, on the near approach of our happy union, when i hope all doubts are cleared up, and nothing of dishonour is apprehended, shew me most abundantly, what a wretch i was to attempt such purity with a worse intention—no wonder, that one so virtuous should find herself deserted of life itself on a violence so dreadful to her honour, and seek a refuge in the shadow of death.—but now, my dearest pamela, that you have seen a purity on my side, as nearly imitating your own, as our sex can shew to yours; and since i have, all the day long, suppressed even the least intimation of the coming days, that i might not alarm your tender mind; why all this concern, why all this affecting, yet sweet confusion? you have a generous friend, my dear girl, in me; a protector now, not a violator of your innocence: why then, once more i ask, this strange perplexity, this sweet confusion?

o sir, said i, and hid my face on his arm; expect not reason from a foolish creature: you should have still indulged me in my closet: i am ready to beat myself for this ungrateful return to your goodness. but i know not what!—i am, to be sure, a silly creature! o had you but suffered me to stay by myself above, i should have made myself ashamed of so culpable a behaviour!—but goodness added to goodness every moment, and the sense of my own unworthiness, quite overcome my spirits.

now, said the generous man, will i, though reluctantly, make a proposal to my sweet girl.—if i have been too pressing for the day: if another day will still be more obliging: if you have fears you will not then have; you shall say but the word, and i'll submit. yes, my pamela; for though i have, these three days past, thought every tedious hour a day, till thursday comes, if you earnestly desire it, i will postpone it. say, my dear girl, freely say; but accept not my proposal, without great reason, which yet i will not ask for.

sir, said i, i can expect nothing but superlative goodness, i have been so long used to it from you. this is a most generous instance of it; but i fear—yes, i fear it will be too much the same thing, some days hence, when the happy, yet, fool that i am! dreaded time, shall be equally near!

kind, lovely charmer! said he, now do i see you are to be trusted with power, from the generous use you make of it!—not one offensive word or look, from me, shall wound your nicest thoughts; but pray try to subdue this over-scrupulousness, and unseasonable timidity. i persuade myself you will if you can.

indeed, sir, i will, said i; for i am quite ashamed of myself, with all these lovely views before me!—the honours you do me, the kindness you shew me!—i cannot forgive myself! for, oh! if i know the least of this idle foolish heart of mine, it has not a misgiving thought of your goodness; and i should abhor it, if it were capable of the least affectation.—but, dear good sir, leave me a little to myself, and i will take myself to a severer task than your goodness will let you do and i will present my heart before you, a worthier offering to you, than at present its wayward follies will let it seem to be.—but one thing is, one has no kind friend of one's own sex, to communicate one's foolish thoughts to, and to be strengthened by their comfortings! but i am left to myself; and, oh! what a weak silly thing i am!

he kindly withdrew, to give me time to recollect myself; and in about half an hour returned: and then, that he might not begin at once upon the subject, and say, at the same time, something agreeable to me, said, your father and mother have had a great deal of talk by this time about you, pamela. o, sir, returned i, your goodness has made them quite happy! but i can't help being concerned about lady davers.

he said, i am vexed i did not hear the footman out; because it runs in my head he talked somewhat about her coming hither. she will meet with but an indifferent reception from me, unless she comes resolved to behave better than she writes.

pray, sir, said i, be pleased to bear with my good lady, for two reasons. what are they? said he. why, first, sir, answered i, because she is your sister; and, to be sure, may very well think, what all the world will, that you have much undervalued yourself in making me happy. and next, because, if her ladyship finds you out of temper with her, it will still aggravate her more against me; and every time that any warm words you may have between you, come into her mind, she will disdain me more.

don't concern yourself about it, said he; for we have more proud ladies than she in our other neighbourhood, who, perhaps, have still less reason to be punctilious about their descent, and yet will form themselves upon her example, and say, why, his own sister will not forgive him, nor visit him! and so, if i can subdue her spirit, which is more than her husband ever could, or indeed any body else, it is a great point gained: and, if she gives me reason, i'll try for it, i assure you.

well, but, my dear girl, continued he, since the subject is so important, may i not say one word about to-morrow?—sir, said i, i hope i shall be less a fool: i have talked as harshly to my heart, as lady davers can do; and the naughty thing suggests to me a better, and more grateful behaviour.

he smiled, and, kissing me, said, i took notice, pamela, of what you observed, that you have none of your own sex with you; i think it is a little hard upon you; and i should have liked you should have had miss darnford; but then her sister must have been asked; and i might as well make a public wedding: which, you know, would have required clothes and other preparations. besides, added he, a foolish proposal was once made me of that second sister, who has two or three thousand pounds more than the other, left her by a godmother, and she can't help being a little piqued; though, said he, it was a proposal they could not expect should succeed; for there is nothing in her person nor mind; and her fortune, as that must have been the only inducement, would not do by any means; and so i discouraged it at once.

i am thinking, sir, said i, of another mortifying thing too; that were you to marry a lady of birth and fortune answerable to your own, all the eve to the day would be taken up in reading, signing, and sealing of settlements, and portion, and such like: but now the poor pamela brings you nothing at all: and the very clothes she wears, so very low is she, are entirely the effects of your bounty, and that of your good mother: this makes me a little sad: for, alas! sir, i am so much oppressed by your favours, and the sense of the obligations i lie under, that i cannot look up with the confidence that i otherwise should, on this awful occasion.

there is, my dear pamela, said he, where the power is wanting, as much generosity in the will as in the action. to all that know your story, and your merit, it will appear that i cannot recompense you for what i have made you suffer. you have had too many hard struggles and exercises; and have nobly overcome: and who shall grudge you the reward of the hard-bought victory?—this affair is so much the act of my own will, that i glory in being capable of distinguishing so much excellence; and my fortune is the more pleasurable to me, as it gives me hope, that i may make you some part of satisfaction for what you have undergone.

this, sir, said i, is all goodness, unmerited on my side; and makes my obligations the greater. i can only wish for more worthiness.—but how poor is it to offer nothing but words for such generous deeds!—and to say, i wish!—for what is a wish, but the acknowledged want of power to oblige, and a demonstration of one's poverty in every thing but will?

and that, my dear girl, said he, is every thing: 'tis all i want: 'tis all that heaven itself requires of us: but no more of these little doubts, though they are the natural impulses of a generous and grateful heart: i want not to be employed in settlements. those are for such to regard, who make convenience and fortune the prime considerations. i have possessions ample enough for us both; and you deserve to share them with me; and you shall do it, with as little reserve, as if you had brought me what the world reckons an equivalent: for, as to my own opinion, you bring me what is infinitely more valuable, an experienced truth, a well-tried virtue, and a wit and behaviour more than equal to the station you will be placed in: to say nothing of this sweet person, that itself might captivate a monarch; and of the meekness of temper, and sweetness of disposition, which make you superior to all the women i ever saw.

thus kind and soothing, and honourably affectionate, was the dear gentleman, to the unworthy, doubting, yet assured pamela; and thus patiently did he indulge, and generously pardon, my impertinent weakness. he offered to go himself to lady jones, in the morning, and reveal the matter to her, and desire her secrecy and presence; but i said, that would disoblige the young ladies darnford. no, sir, said i, i will cast myself upon your generous kindness; for why should i fear the kind protector of my weakness, and the guide and director of my future steps?

you cannot, said he, forgive mrs. jewkes; for she must know it; and suffer her to be with you? yes, sir, said i, i can. she is very civil to me now: and her former wickedness i will forgive, for the sake of the happy fruits that have attended it; and because you mention her.

well, said he, i will call her in, if you please.—as you please, sir, said i. and he rung for her; and when she came in, he said, mrs. jewkes, i am going to entrust you with a secret. sir, answered she, i will be sure to keep it as such. why, said he, we intend to-morrow, privately as possible, for our wedding-day; and mr. peters and mr. williams are to be here, as to breakfast with me, and to shew mr. peters my little chapel. as soon as the ceremony is over, we will take a little airing in the chariot, as we have done at other times; and so it will not be wondered that we are dressed. and the two parsons have promised secrecy, and will go home. i believe you can't well avoid letting one of the maids into the secret; but that i'll leave to you.

sir, replied she, we all concluded it would be in a few days! and i doubt it won't be long a secret. no, said he, i don't desire it should; but you know we are not provided for a public wedding, and i shall declare it when we go to bedfordshire, which won't be long. but the men, who lie in the outhouses, need not know it; for, by some means or other, my sister davers knows all that passes.

do you know, sir, said she, that her ladyship intends to be down here with you in a few days? her servant told me so, who brought you the letter you were angry at.

i hope, said he, we shall be set out for t'other house first; and shall be pleased she loses her labour. sir, continued she, her ladyship, proposes to be here time enough to hinder your nuptials, which she takes, as we did, will be the latter end of next week. well, said he, let her come: but yet i desire not to see her.

mrs. jewkes said to me, give me leave, madam, to wish you all manner of happiness: but i am afraid i have too well obeyed his honour, to be forgiven by you. indeed, mrs. jewkes, returned i, you will be more your own enemy than i will be. i will look all forward: and shall not presume, so much as by a whisper, to set my good master against any one he pleases to approve of: and as to his old servants, i shall always value them, and never offer to dictate to his choice, or influence it by my own caprices.

mrs. jewkes, said my master, you find you have no cause to apprehend any thing. my pamela is very placable; and as we have both been sinners together, we must both be included in one act of grace.

such an example of condescension, as i have before me, mrs. jewkes, said i, may make you very easy; for i must be highly unworthy, if i did not forego all my little resentments, if i had any, for the sake of so much goodness to myself.

you are very kind, madam, said she; and you may depend upon it, i will atone for all my faults, by my future duty and respect to you, as well as to my master.

that's well said on both sides, said he: but, mrs. jewkes, to assure you, that my good girl here has no malice, she chooses you to attend her in the morning at the ceremony, and you must keep up her spirits.—i shall, replied she, be very proud of the honour: but i cannot, madam, but wonder to see you so very low-spirited, as you have been these two or three days past, with so much happiness before you.

why, mrs. jewkes, answered i, there can be but one reason given; and that is, that i am a sad fool!—but, indeed, i am not ungrateful neither; nor would i put on a foolish affectation: but my heart, at times, sinks within me; i know not why, except at my own unworthiness, and because the honour done me is too high for me to support myself under, as i should do. it is an honour, mrs. jewkes, added i, i was not born to; and no wonder, then, i behave so awkwardly. she made me a fine compliment upon it, and withdrew, repeating her promises of care, secrecy, etc.

he parted from me with very great tenderness; and i came up and set to writing, to amuse my thoughts, and wrote thus far. and mrs. jewkes being come up, and it being past twelve, i will go to bed; but not one wink, i fear, shall i get this night.—i could beat myself for anger. sure there is nothing ominous in this strange folly!—but i suppose all young maidens are the same, so near so great a change of condition, though they carry it off more discreetly than i.

thursday, six o'clock in the morning.

i might as well have not gone to bed last night, for what sleep i had. mrs. jewkes often was talking to me, and said several things that would have been well enough from any body else of our sex; but the poor woman has so little purity of heart, that it is all say from her, and goes no farther than the ear.

i fancy my master has not slept much neither; for i heard him up, and walking about his chamber, ever since break of day. to be sure, good gentleman! he must have some concern, as well as i; for here he is going to marry a poor foolish unworthy girl, brought up on the charity, as one may say, (at least bounty,) of his worthy family! and this foolish girl must be, to all intents and purposes, after twelve o'clock this day, as much his wife, as if he were to marry a duchess!—and here he must stand the shocks of common reflection! the great mr. b—— has done finely! he has married his poor servant wench! will some say. the ridicule and rude jests of his equals, and companions too, he must stand: and the disdain of his relations, and indignation of lady davers, his lofty sister! dear good gentleman! he will have enough to do, to be sure! o how shall i merit all these things at his hand! i can only do the best i can; and pray to god to reward him; and resolve to love him with a pure heart, and serve him with a sincere obedience. i hope the dear gentleman will continue to love me for this; for, alas! i have nothing else to offer! but, as i can hardly expect so great a blessing, if i can be secure from his contempt, i shall not be unfortunate; and must bear his indifference, if his rich friends should inspire him with it, and proceed with doing my duty with cheerfulness.

half an hour past eight o'clock.

my good dear master, my kind friend, my generous benefactor, my worthy protector, and, oh! all the good words in one, my affectionate husband, that is soon to be—(be curbed in, my proud heart, know thy self, and be conscious of thy unworthiness!)—has just left me, with the kindest, tenderest expressions, and gentlest behaviour, that ever blest a happy maiden. he approached me with a sort of reined-in rapture. my pamela! said he, may i just ask after your employment? don't let me chide my dear girl this day, however. the two parsons will be here to breakfast with us at nine; and yet you are not a bit dressed! why this absence of mind, and sweet irresolution?

why, indeed, sir, said i, i will set about a reformation this instant. he saw the common-prayer book lying in the window. i hope, said he, my lovely maiden has been conning the lesson she is by-and-by to repeat. have you not, pamela? and clasped his arms about me, and kissed me. indeed, sir, said i, i have been reading over the solemn service.—and what thinks my fairest (for so he called me) of it?—o sir, 'tis very awful, and makes one shudder, to reflect upon it!—no wonder, said he, it should affect my sweet pamela: i have been looking into it this morning, and i can't say but i think it a solemn, but very suitable service. but this i tell my dear love, continued he, and again clasped me to him, there is not a tittle in it that i cannot joyfully subscribe to: and that, my dear pamela, should make you easy, and join cheerfully in it with me. i kissed his dear hand: o my generous, kind protector, said i, how gracious is it to confirm thus the doubting mind of your poor servant! which apprehends nothing so much as her own unworthiness of the honour and blessing that await her!—he was pleased to say, i know well, my dearest creature, that, according to the liberties we people of fortune generally give ourselves, i have promised a great deal, when i say so. but i would not have said it, if, deliberately, i could not with all my heart. so banish from your mind all doubt and uneasiness; let a generous confidence in me take place; and let me see it does, by your cheerfulness in this day's solemn business; and then i will love you for ever!

may god almighty, sir, said i, reward all your goodness to me!—that is all i can say. but, oh! how kind it is in you, to supply the want of the presence and comfortings of a dear mother, of a loving sister, or of the kind companions of my own sex, which most maidens have, to soothe their anxieties on the so near approach of so awful a solemnity!—you, sir, are all these tender relations in one to me! your condescensions and kindness shall, if possible, embolden me to look up to you without that sweet terror, that must confound poor bashful maidens, on such an occasion, when they are surrendered up to a more doubtful happiness, and to half-strange men, whose good faith, and good usage of them, must be less experienced, and is all involved in the dark bosom of futurity, and only to be proved by the event.

this, my dear pamela, said he, is most kindly said! it shews me that you enter gratefully into my intention. for i would, by my conduct, supply all these dear relations to you; and i voluntarily promise, from my heart, to you, what i think i could not, with such assured resolutions of performance, to the highest-born lady in the kingdom. for let me tell my sweet girl, that, after having been long tossed by the boisterous winds of a more culpable passion, i have now conquered it, and am not so much the victim of your beauty, all charming as you are, as of your virtue; and therefore may more boldly promise for myself, having so stable a foundation for my affection; which, should this outward beauty fail, will increase with your virtue, and shine forth the brighter, as that is more illustriously displayed by the augmented opportunities which the condition you are now entering into will afford you.—o the dear charming man! how nobly, how encouragingly kind, was all this!

i could not suitably express myself: and he said, i see my girl is at a loss for words! i doubt not your kind acceptance of my declarations. and when i have acted too much the part of a libertine formerly, for you to look back without some anxiety, i ought not, being now happily convicted, to say less.—but why loses my girl her time? i will now only add, that i hope for many happy years to make good, by my conduct, what so willingly flows from my lips.

he kissed me again, and said, but, whatever you do, pamela, be cheerful; for else, may be, of the small company we shall have, some one, not knowing how to account for your too nice modesty, will think there is some other person in the world, whose addresses would be still more agreeable to you.

this he said with an air of sweetness and pleasantry; but it alarmed me exceedingly, and made me resolve to appear as calm and cheerful as possible. for this was, indeed, a most affecting expression, and enough to make me, if any thing can, behave as i ought, and to force my idle fears to give way to hopes so much better grounded.—and i began almost, on this occasion, to wish mr. williams were not to marry me, lest i should behave like a fool; and so be liable to an imputation, which i should be most unworthy, if i deserved.

so i set about dressing me instantly; and he sent mrs. jewkes to assist me. but i am never long a dressing, when i set about it; and my master has now given me a hint, that will, for half an hour more, at least, keep my spirits in a brisk circulation. yet it concerns me a little too, lest he should have any the least shadow of a doubt, that i am not, mind and person, entirely his.

and so being now ready, and not called to breakfast, i sat down and wrote thus far.

i might have mentioned, that i dressed myself in a rich white satin night-gown, that had been my good lady's, and my best head-clothes, etc. i have got such a knack of writing, that when i am by myself, i cannot sit without a pen in my hand.—but i am now called to breakfast. i suppose the gentlemen are come.—now, courage, pamela! remember thou art upon thy good behaviour!—fie upon it! my heart begins to flutter again!—foolish heart! be still! never, sure, was any maiden's perverse heart under so little command as mine!—it gave itself away, at first, without my leave; it has been, for weeks, pressing me with its wishes; and yet now, when it should be happy itself, and make me so, it is throb, throb, throb, like a little fool! and filling me with such unseasonable misgivings, as abate the rising comforts of all my better prospects.

thursday, near three o'clock.

i thought i should have found no time nor heart to write again this day. but here are three gentlemen come, unexpectedly, to dine with my master; and so i shall not appear. he has done all he could, civilly, to send them away; but they will stay, though i believe he had rather they would not. and so i have nothing to do but to write till i go to dinner myself with mrs. jewkes: for my master was not prepared for this company; and it will be a little latish to-day. so i will begin with my happy story where i left off.

when i came down to breakfast, mr. peters and mr. williams were both there. and as soon as my master heard me coming down, he met me at the door, and led me in with great tenderness. he had kindly spoken to them, as he told me afterwards, to mention no more of the matter to me, than needs must. i paid my respects to them, i believe a little awkwardly, and was almost out of breath: but said, i had come down a little too fast.

when abraham came in to wait, my master said, (that the servants should not mistrust,) 'tis well, gentlemen, you came as you did; for my good girl and i were going to take an airing till dinner-time. i hope you'll stay and dine with me. sir, said mr. peters, we won't hinder your airing. i only came, having a little time upon my hands, to see your chapel; but must be at home at dinner; and mr. williams will dine with me. well then, said my master, we will pursue our intention, and ride out for an hour or two, as soon as i have shewn mr. peters my little chapel. will you, pamela, after breakfast, walk with us to it? if, if, said i, and had like to have stammered, foolish that i was! if you please, sir. i could look none of them in the face. abraham looking at me; why, child, said my master, you have hardly recovered your fright yet: how came your foot to slip? 'tis well you did not hurt yourself. said mr. peters, improving the hint, you ha'n't sprained your ancle, madam, i hope. no, sir, said i, i believe not; but 'tis a little painful to me. and so it was; for i meant my foolishness! abraham, said my master, bid robin put the horses to the coach, instead of the chariot; and if these gentlemen will go, we can set them down. no matter, sir, said mr. peters: i had as lieve walk, if mr. williams chooses it. well then, said my master, let it be the chariot, as i told him.

i could eat nothing, though i attempted it; and my hand shook so, i spilled some of my chocolate, and so put it down again; and they were all very good, and looked another way. my master said, when abraham was out, i have a quite plain ring here, mr. peters: and i hope the ceremony will dignify the ring; and that i shall give my girl reason to think it, for that cause, the most valuable one that can be presented her. mr. peters said, he was sure i should value it more than the richest diamond in the world.

i had bid mrs. jewkes not to dress herself, lest she should give cause of mistrust; and she took my advice.

when breakfast was over, my master said, before abraham, well, gentlemen, we will step into the chapel; and you must give me your advice, as to the alterations i design. i am in the more haste, because the survey you are going to take of it, for the alterations, will take up a little time; and we shall have but a small space between that and dinner, for the little tour i design to make.—pamela, you'll give us your opinion, won't you? yes, sir, said i; i'll come after you.

so they went out, and i sat down in the chair again, and fanned myself: i am sick at heart, said i, i think, mrs. jewkes. said she, shall i fetch you a little cordial?—no, said i, i am a sad fool! i want spirits, that's all. she took her smelling-bottle, and would have given it me: but i said, keep it in your hand; may be i shall want it: but i hope not.

she gave me very good words, and begged me to go: and i got up; but my knees beat so against one another, i was forced to sit down again. but, at last, i held by her arm, and passing by abraham, i said, this ugly slip, coming down stairs, has made me limp, though; so i must hold by you, mrs. jewkes. do you know what alterations there are to be in the chapel, that we must all give our opinions of them?

nan, she told me, was let into the secret; and she had ordered her to stay at the chapel door, to see that nobody came in. my dear master came to me, at entering the chapel, and took my hand, and led me up to the altar. remember, my dear girl, whispered he, and be cheerful. i am, i will, sir, said i; but i hardly knew what i said; and so you may believe, when i said to mrs. jewkes, don't leave me; pray, mrs. jewkes, don't leave me; as if i had all confidence in her, and none where it was most due. so she kept close to me. god forgive me! but i never was so absent in my life, as at first; even till mr. williams had gone on in the service, so far as to the awful words about requiring us, as we should answer at the dreadful day of judgment; and then the solemn words, and my master's whispering, mind this, my dear, made me start. said he, still whispering, know you any impediment? i blushed, and said softly, none, sir, but my great unworthiness.

then followed the sweet words, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife? etc. and i began to take heart a little, when my dearest master answered, audibly, to this question, i will. but i could only make a courtesy, when they asked me; though, i am sure, my heart was readier than my speech, and answered to every article of obey, serve, love, and honour.

mr. peters gave me away; and i said, after mr. williams, as well as i could, as my dear master did with a much better grace, the words of betrothment; and the ceremony of the ring passing next, i received the dear favour at his worthy hands with a most grateful heart; and he was pleased to say afterwards in the chariot, that when he had done saying, with this ring i thee wed, etc. i made a courtesy, and said, thank you, sir. may be i did; for i am sure it was a most grateful part of the service, and my heart was overwhelmed with his goodness, and the tender grace wherewith he performed it. i was very glad, that the next part was the prayer, and kneeling; for i trembled so, i could hardly stand, betwixt fear and joy.

the joining of our hands afterwards, the declaration of our being married to the few witnesses present; for, reckoning nan, whose curiosity would not let her stay at the door, there were but mr. peters, mrs. jewkes, and she; the blessing, the psalm, and the subsequent prayers, and the concluding exhortation; were so many beautiful, welcome, and lovely parts of this divine office, that my heart began to be delighted with them; and my spirits to be a little freer.

and thus, my dearest, dear parents, is your happy, happy, thrice happy pamela, at last married; and to whom?—why, to her beloved, gracious master! the lord of her wishes! and thus the dear, once naughty assailer of her innocence, by a blessed turn of providence, is become the kind, the generous protector and rewarder of it. god be evermore blessed and praised! and make me not wholly unworthy of such a transcendent honour!—and bless and reward the dear, dear, good gentleman, who has thus exalted his unworthy servant, and given her a place, which the greatest ladies would think themselves happy in!

my master saluted me most ardently, and said, god give you, my dear love, as much joy on this occasion, as i have! and he presented me to mr. peters, who saluted me; and said, you may excuse me, dear madam, for i gave you away, and you are my daughter. and mr. williams modestly withdrawing a little way; mr. williams, said my master, pray accept my thanks, and wish your sister joy. so he saluted me too; and said, most heartily, madam, i do. and i will say, that to see so much innocence and virtue so eminently rewarded, is one of the greatest pleasures i have ever known. this my master took very kindly.

mrs. jewkes would have kissed my hand at the chapel-door; but i put my arms about her neck, for i had got a new recruit of spirits just then; and kissed her, and said, thank you, mrs. jewkes, for accompanying me. i have behaved sadly. no, madam, said she, pretty well, pretty well!

mr. peters walked out with me; and mr. williams and my master came out after us, talking together.

mr. peters, when we came into the parlour, said, i once more, madam, must wish you joy on this happy occasion. i wish every day may add to your comforts; and may you very long rejoice in one another! for you are the loveliest couple i ever saw joined. i told him, i was highly obliged to his kind opinion, and good wishes; and hoped my future conduct would not make me unworthy of them.

my good benefactor came in with mr. williams: so, my dear life, said he, how do you do? a little more composed, i hope. well, you see this is not so dreadful an affair as you apprehended.

sir, said mr. peters, very kindly, it is a very solemn circumstance; and i love to see it so reverently and awfully entered upon. it is a most excellent sign; for the most thoughtful beginnings make the most prudent proceedings.

mrs. jewkes, of her own accord, came in with a large silver tumbler, filled with sack, and a toast, and nutmeg, and sugar; and my master said, that's well thought of, mrs. jewkes; for we have made but sorry breakfasting. and he would make me, take some of the toast; as they all did, and drank pretty heartily: and i drank a little, and it cheered my heart, i thought, for an hour after.

my master took a fine diamond ring from his finger, and presented it to mr. peters, who received it very kindly. and to mr. williams he said, my old acquaintance, i have reserved for you, against a variety of solicitations, the living i always designed for you; and i beg you'll prepare to take possession of it; and as the doing it may be attended with some expense, pray accept of this towards it; and so he gave him (as he told me afterwards it was) a bank note of 50l.

so did this generous good gentleman bless us all, and me in particular; for whose sake he was as bounteous as if he had married one of the noblest fortunes.

so he took his leave of the gentlemen, recommending secrecy again, for a few days, and they left him; and none of the servants suspected any thing, as mrs. jewkes believes. and then i threw myself at his feet, blessed god, and blessed him for his goodness; and he overwhelmed me with kindness, calling me his sweet bride, and twenty lovely epithets, that swell my grateful heart beyond the power of utterance.

he afterwards led me to the chariot; and we took a delightful tour round the neighbouring villages; and he did all he could to dissipate those still perverse anxieties that dwell upon my mind, and, do what i can, spread too thoughtful an air, as he tells me, over my countenance.

we came home again by half an hour after one; and he was pleasing himself with thinking, not to be an hour out of my company this blessed day, that (as he was so good as to say) he might inspire me with a familiarity that should improve my confidence in him, when he was told, that a footman of sir charles hargrave had been here, to let him know, that his master, and two other gentlemen, were on the road to take a dinner with him, in their way to nottingham.

he was heartily vexed at this, and said to me, he should have been glad of their companies at any other time; but that it was a barbarous intrusion now; and he wished they had been told he would not be at home at dinner: and besides, said he, they are horrid drinkers; and i shan't be able to get them away to-night, perhaps; for they have nothing to do, but to travel round the country, and beat up their friends' quarters all the way; and it is all one to them, whether they stay a night or a month at a place. but, added he, i'll find some way, if i can, to turn them off, after dinner.—confound them, said he, in a violent pet, that they should come this day, of all the days in the year!

we had hardly alighted, and got in, before they came: three mad rakes they seemed to be, as i looked through the window, setting up a hunting note, as soon as they came to the gate, that made the court-yard echo again; and smacking their whips in concert.

so i went up to my chamber, and saw (what made my heart throb) mrs. jewkes's officious pains to put the room in order for a guest, that, however welcome, as now my duty teaches me to say, is yet dreadful to me to think of. so i took refuge in my closet, and had recourse to pen and ink, for my amusement, and to divert my anxiety of mind.—if one's heart is so sad, and one's apprehension so great, where one so extremely loves, and is so extremely obliged; what must be the case of those poor maidens, who are forced, for sordid views, by their tyrannical parents or guardians, to marry the man they almost hate, and, perhaps, to the loss of the man they most love! o that is a sad thing, indeed!—and what have not such cruel parents to answer for! and what do not such poor innocent victims suffer!—but, blessed be god, this lot is far from being mine!

my good master (for i cannot yet have the presumption to call him by a more tender name) came up to me, and said, well, i just come to ask my dear bride (o the charming, charming word!) how she does? i see you are writing, my dear, said he. these confounded rakes are half mad, i think, and will make me so! however, said he, i have ordered my chariot to be got ready, as if i was under an engagement five miles off, and will set them out of the house, if possible; and then ride round, and come back, as soon as i can get rid of them. i find, said he, lady davers is full of our affairs. she has taken great freedoms with me before sir charles; and they have all been at me, without mercy; and i was forced to be very serious with them, or else they would have come up to have seen you, since i would not call you down.—he kissed me, and said, i shall quarrel with them, if i can't get them away; for i have lost two or three precious hours with my soul's delight: and so he went down.

mrs. jewkes asked me to walk down to dinner in the little parlour. i went down, and she was so complaisant as to offer to wait upon me at table; and would not be persuaded, without difficulty, to sit down with me. but i insisted she should: for, said i, it would be very extraordinary, if one should so soon go into such distance, mrs. jewkes.—whatever my new station may require of me, added i, i hope i shall always conduct myself in such a manner, that pride and insolence shall bear no part in my character.

you are very good, madam, said she; but i will always know my duty to my master's lady.—why then, replied i, if i must take state upon me so early, mrs. jewkes, let me exact from you what you call your duty; and sit down with me when i desire you.

this prevailed upon her; and i made shift to get down a bit of apple-pye, and a little custard; but that was all.

my good master came in again, and said, well, thank my stars! these rakes are going now; but i must set out with them, and i choose my chariot; for if i took horse, i should have difficulty to part with them; for they are like a snowball, and intend to gather company as they go, to make a merry tour of it for some days together.

we both got up, when he came in: fie, pamela! said he; why this ceremony now?—sit still, mrs. jewkes.—nay, sir, said she, i was loath to sit down; but my lady would have me.—she is very right, mrs. jewkes, said my master, and tapped me on the cheek; for we are but yet half married; and so she is not above half your lady yet!—don't look so down, don't be so silent, my dearest, said he; why, you hardly spoke twenty words to me all the time we were out together. something i will allow for your bashful sweetness; but not too much.—mrs. jewkes, have you no pleasant tales to tell my pamela, to make her smile, till i return?—yes, sir, said she, i could tell twenty pleasant stories; but my lady is too nice to hear them; and yet, i hope, i should not be shocking neither. ah! poor woman! thought i; thy chastest stories will make a modest person blush, if i know thee! and i desire to hear none of them.

my master said, tell her one of the shortest you have, in my hearing. why, sir, said she, i knew a bashful young lady, as madam may be, married to—dear mrs. jewkes, interrupted i, no more of your story, i beseech you; i don't like the beginning of it. go on, mrs. jewkes, said my master. no, pray, sir, don't require it, said i, pray don't. well, said he, then we'll have it another time, mrs. jewkes.

abraham coming in to tell him the gentlemen were going, and that his chariot was ready; i am glad of that, said he; and went to them, and set out with them.

i took a turn in the garden with mrs. jewkes, after they were gone: and having walked a while, i said, i should be glad of her company down the elm-walk, to meet the chariot: for, o! i know not how to look up at him, when he is with me; nor how to bear his absence, when i have reason to expect him: what a strange contradiction there is in this unaccountable passion.

what a different aspect every thing in and about this house bears now, to my thinking, to what it once had! the garden, the pond, the alcove, the elm-walk. but, oh! my prison is become my palace; and no wonder every thing wears another face!

we sat down upon the broad stile, leading towards the road; and mrs. jewkes was quite another person to me, to what she was the last time i sat there.

at last my best beloved returned, and alighted there. what, my pamela! (and mrs. jewkes then left me,) what (said he, and kissed me) brings you this way? i hope to meet me.—yes, sir, said i. that's kind, indeed, said he; but why that averted eye?—that downcast countenance, as if you was afraid of me? you must not think so, sir, said i. revive my heart then, said he, with a more cheerful aspect; and let that over-anxious solicitude, which appears in the most charming face in the world, be chased from it.—have you, my dear girl any fears that i can dissipate; any doubts that i can obviate; any hopes that i can encourage; any request that i can gratify?—speak, my dear pamela; and if i have power, but speak, and to purchase one smile, it shall be done!

i cannot, sir, said i, have any fears, any doubts, but that i shall never be able to deserve all your goodness. i have no hopes, but that my future conduct may be agreeable to you, and my determined duty well accepted. nor have i any request to make, but that you will forgive all my imperfections and, among the rest, this foolish weakness, that makes me seem to you, after all the generous things that have passed, to want this further condescension, and these kind assurances. but indeed, sir, i am oppressed by your bounty; my spirits sink under the weight of it; and the oppression is still the greater, as i see not how, possibly, in my whole future life, by all i can do, to merit the least of your favours.

i know your grateful heart, said he; but remember, my dear, what the lawyers tell us, that marriage is the highest consideration which the law knows. and this, my sweet bride, has made you mine, and me yours; and you have the best claim in the world to share my fortune with me. but, set that consideration aside, what is the obligation you have to me? your mind is pure as that of an angel, and as much transcends mine. your wit, and your judgment, to make you no compliment, are more than equal to mine: you have all the graces that education can give a woman, improved by a genius which makes those graces natural to you. you have a sweetness of temper, and a noble sincerity, beyond all comparison; and in the beauty of your person, you excel all the ladies i ever saw. where then, my dearest, is the obligation, if not on my side to you?—but, to avoid these comparisons, let us talk of nothing henceforth but equality; although, if the riches of your mind, and your unblemished virtue, be set against my fortune, (which is but an accidental good, as i may call it, and all i have to boast of,) the condescension will be yours; and i shall not think i can possibly deserve you, till, after your sweet example, my future life shall become nearly as blameless as yours.

o, sir, said i, what comfort do you give me, that, instead of my being in danger of being ensnared by the high condition to which your goodness has exalted me, you make me hope, that i shall be confirmed and approved by you; and that we may have a prospect of perpetuating each other's happiness, till time shall be no more!—but, sir, i will not, as you once cautioned me, be too serious. i will resolve, with these sweet encouragements, to be, in every thing, what you would have me be: and i hope i shall, more and more, shew you that i have no will but yours. he kissed me very tenderly, and thanked me for this kind assurance, as he called it.

and so we entered the house together.

eight o'clock at night.

now these sweet assurances, my dear father and mother, you will say, must be very consolatory to me; and being voluntary on his side, were all that could be wished for on mine; and i was resolved, if possible, to subdue my idle fears and apprehensions.

ten o'clock at night.

as we sat at supper, he was generously kind to me, as well in his actions, as expressions. he took notice, in the most delicate manner, of my endeavour to conquer my foibles; and said, i see, with pleasure, my dear girl strives to comport herself in a manner suitable to my wishes: i see, even through the sweet tender struggles of your over-nice modesty, how much i owe to your intentions of obliging me. as i have once told you, that i am the conquest more of your virtue than your beauty; so not one alarming word or look shall my beloved pamela hear or see, to give her reason to suspect the truth of what i aver. you may the rather believe me, continued he, as you may see the pain i have to behold any thing that concerns you, even though your concern be causeless. and yet i will indulge my dear girl's bashful weakness so far, as to own, that so pure a mind may suffer from apprehension, on so important a change as this; and i can therefore be only displeased with such part of your conduct, as may make your sufferings greater than my own; when i am resolved, through every stage of my future life, in all events, to study to make them less.

after supper, of which, with all his sweet persuasions, i could hardly taste, he made me drink two glasses of champaign, and, afterwards, a glass of sack; which he kindly forced upon me, by naming your healths: and as the time of retiring drew on, he took notice, but in a very delicate manner, how my colour went and came, and how foolishly i trembled. nobody, surely, in such delightful circumstances, ever behaved so silly!—and he said, my dearest girl, i fear you have had too much of my company for so many hours together; and would better recollect yourself, if you retired for half an hour to your closet.

i wished for this, but durst not say so much, lest he should be angry; for, as the hours grew on, i found my apprehensions increase, and my silly heart was the unquieter, every time i could lift up my eyes to his dear face; so sweetly terrible did he appear to my apprehensions. i said, you are all goodness, dear sir; and i boldly kissed his dear hand, and pressed it to my lips with both mine. and saluting me very fervently, he gave me his hand, seeing me hardly able to stand, and led me to my chamber-door, and then most generously withdrew.

i went to my closet; and the first thing i did, on my knees, again thanked god for the blessing of the day; and besought his divine goodness to conduct my future life in such a manner, as should make me a happy instrument of his glory. after this, being now left to my own recollection, i grew a little more assured and lightsome; and the pen and paper being before me, i amused myself with writing thus far.

eleven o'clock thursday night.

mrs. jewkes being come up with a message, desiring to know, whether her master may attend upon me in my closet; and hinting to me, that, however, she believed he did not expect to find me there; i have sent word, that i beg he would indulge me one quarter of an hour.—so, committing myself to the mercies of the almighty, who has led me through so many strange scenes of terror and affrightment, to this happy, yet awful moment, i will wish you, my dear parents, a good night; and though you will not see this in time, yet i know i have your hourly prayers, and therefore cannot fail of them now. so, good night, good night! god bless you, and god bless me! amen, amen, if it be his blessed will, subscribes

your ever-dutiful daughter!

friday evening.

o how this dear excellent man indulges me in every thing! every hour he makes me happier, by his sweet condescension, than the former. he pities my weakness of mind, allows for all my little foibles, endeavours to dissipate my fears; his words are so pure, his ideas so chaste, and his whole behaviour so sweetly decent, that never, surely, was so happy a creature as your pamela! i never could have hoped such a husband could have fallen to my lot: and much less, that a gentleman, who had allowed himself in attempts, that now i will endeavour to forget for ever, should have behaved with so very delicate and unexceptionable a demeanour. no light frothy jests drop from his lips; no alarming railleries; no offensive expressions, nor insulting airs, reproach or wound the ears of your happy, thrice happy daughter. in short, he says every thing that may embolden me to look up, with pleasure, upon the generous author of my happiness.

at breakfast, when i knew not how to see him, he emboldened me by talking of you, my dear parents; a subject, he generously knew, i could talk of: and gave me assurances, that he would make you both happy. he said, he would have me send you a letter to acquaint you with my nuptials; and, as he could make business that way, thomas should carry it purposely, as to-morrow. nor will i, said he, my dear pamela, desire to see your writings, because i told you i would not; for now i will, in every thing, religiously keep my word with my dear spouse: (o the dear delightful word!) and you may send all your papers to them, from those they have, down to this happy moment; only let me beg they will preserve them, and let me have them when they have read them; as also those i have not seen; which, however, i desire not to see till then; but then shall take it for a favour, if you will grant it.

it will be my pleasure, as well as my duty, sir, said i, to obey you in every thing: and i will write up to the conclusion of this day, that they may see how happy you have made me.

i know you will both join with me to bless god for his wonderful mercies and goodness to you, as well as to me: for he was pleased to ask me particularly after your circumstances, and said, he had taken notice, that i had hinted, in some of my first letters, that you owed money in the world; and he gave me fifty guineas, and bid me send them to you in my packet, to pay your debts, as far as they would go; and that you would quit your present business, and put yourself, and my dear mother, into a creditable appearance; and he would find a better place of abode for you than that you had, when he returned to bedfordshire. o how shall i bear all these exceeding great and generous favours!—i send them wrapt up, five guineas in a parcel, in double papers.

to me he gave no less than one hundred guineas more; and said, i would have you, my dear, give mrs. jewkes, when you go away from hence, what you think fit out of these, as from yourself.—nay, good dear sir, said i, let that be what you please. give her, then, said he, twenty guineas, as a compliment on your nuptials. give colbrand ten guineas give: the two coachmen five guineas each; to the two maids at this house five guineas each; give abraham five guineas; give thomas five guineas; and give the gardeners, grooms, and helpers, twenty guineas among them. and when, said he, i return with you to the other house, i will make you a suitable present, to buy you such ornaments as are fit for my beloved wife to appear in. for now, my pamela, continued he, you are not to mind, as you once proposed, what other ladies will say; but to appear as my wife ought to do. else it would look as if what you thought of, as a means to avoid the envy of others of your sex, was a wilful slight in me, which, i hope, i never shall be guilty of; and i will shew the world, that i value you as i ought, and as if i had married the first fortune in the kingdom: and why should it not be so, when i know none of the first quality that matches you in excellence?

he saw i was at a loss for words, and said, i see, my dearest bride! my spouse! my wife! my pamela! your grateful confusion. and kissing me, as i was going to speak, i will stop your dear mouth, said he: you shall not so much as thank me; for when i have done ten times more than this, i shall but poorly express my love for so much beauty of mind, and loveliness of person; which thus, said he, and clasped me to his generous bosom, i can proudly now call my own!—o how, my dear parents, can i think of any thing, but redoubled love, joy, and gratitude!

and thus generously did he banish from my mind those painful reflections, and bashful apprehensions, that made me dread to see him for the first time this day, when i was called to attend him at breakfast; and made me all ease, composure, and tranquillity.

he then, thinking i seemed somewhat thoughtful, proposed a little turn in the chariot till dinner-time: and this was another sweet relief to me; and he diverted me with twenty agreeable relations, of what observations he had made in his travels; and gave me the characters of the ladies and gentlemen in his other neighbourhood; telling me whose acquaintance he would have me most cultivate. and when i mentioned lady davers with apprehension, he said, to be sure i love my sister dearly, notwithstanding her violent spirit; and i know she loves me; and i can allow a little for her pride, because i know what my own so lately was; and because she knows not my pamela, and her excellencies, as i do. but you must not, my dear, forget what belongs to your character, as my wife, nor meanly stoop to her; though i know you will choose, by softness, to try to move her to a proper behaviour. but it shall be my part to see, that you do not yield too much.

however, continued he, as i would not publicly declare my marriage here, i hope she won't come near us till we are in bedfordshire; and then, when she knows we are married, she will keep away, if she is not willing to be reconciled; for she dares not, surely, come to quarrel with me, when she knows it is done; for that would have a hateful and wicked appearance, as if she would try to make differences between man and wife.—but we will have no more of this subject, nor talk of any thing, added he, that shall give concern to my dearest. and so he changed the talk to a more pleasing subject, and said the kindest and most soothing things in the world.

when we came home, which was about dinner-time, he was the same obliging, kind gentleman; and, in short, is studious to shew, on every occasion, his generous affection to me. and, after dinner, he told me, he had already written to his draper, in town, to provide him new liveries; and to his late mother's mercer, to send him down patterns of the most fashionable silks, for my choice. i told him, i was unable to express my gratitude for his favours and generosity: and as he knew best what befitted his own rank and condition, i would wholly remit myself to his good pleasure. but, by all his repeated bounties to me, of so extraordinary a nature, i could not but look forward with awe upon the condition to which he had exalted me; and now i feared i should hardly be able to act up to it in such a manner as should justify the choice he had condescended to make: but that, i hoped, i should have not only his generous allowance for my imperfections, which i could only assure him should not be wilful ones, but his kind instructions; and that as often as he observed any part of my conduct such as he could not entirely approve, he would let me know it; and i would think his reproofs of beginning faults the kindest and most affectionate things in the world because they would keep me from committing greater; and be a means to continue to me the blessing of his good opinion.

he answered me in the kindest manner; and assured me, that nothing should ever lie upon his mind which he would not reveal, and give me an opportunity either of convincing him, or being convinced myself.

he then asked me, when i should be willing to go to the bedfordshire house? i said, whenever he pleased. we will come down hither again before the winter, said he, if you please, in order to cultivate the acquaintance you have begun with lady jones, and sir simon's family; and, if it please god to spare us to one another, in the winter i will give you, as i promised for two or three months, the diversions of london. and i think, added he, if my dear pleases, we will set out next week, about tuesday, for t'other house. i can have no objection, sir, said i, to any thing you propose; but how will you avoid miss darnford's solicitation for an evening to dance? why, said he, we can make monday evening do for that purpose, if they won't excuse us. but, if you please, said he, i will invite lady jones, mr. peters and his family, and sir simon and his family, to my little chapel, on sunday morning, and to stay dinner with me; and then i will declare my marriage to them, because my dear life shall not leave this country with the least reason for a possibility of any body's doubting that it is so. o! how good was this! but, indeed, his conduct is all of a piece, noble, kind, and considerate! what a happy creature am i!—and then, may be, said he, they will excuse us till we return into this country again, as to the ball. is there any thing, added he, that my beloved pamela has still to wish? if you have, freely speak.

hitherto, my dearest sir, replied i, you have not only prevented my wishes, but my hopes, and even my thoughts. and yet i must own, since your kind command of speaking my mind seems to shew, that you expect from me i should say something; that i have only one or two things to wish more, and then i shall be too happy. say, said he, what they are. sir, proceeded i, i am, indeed, ashamed to ask any thing, lest it should not be agreeable to you; and lest it should look as if i was taking advantage of your kind condescensions to me, and knew not when to be satisfied!

i will only tell you, pamela, said he, that you are not to imagine, that these things, which i have done, in hopes of obliging you, are the sudden impulses of a new passion for you. but, if i can answer for my own mind, they proceed from a regular and uniform desire of obliging you: which, i hope, will last as long as your merit lasts; and that, i make no doubt, will be as long as i live. and i can the rather answer for this, because i really find so much delight in myself in my present way of thinking and acting, as infinitely overpays me; and which, for that reason, i am likely to continue, for both our sakes. my beloved wife, therefore, said he, for methinks i am grown fond of a name i once despised, may venture to speak her mind; and i will promise, that, so far as it is agreeable to me, and i cheerfully can, i will comply; and you will not insist upon it, if that should not be the case.

to be sure, sir, said i, i ought not, neither will i. and now you embolden me to become an humble petitioner, and that, as i ought, upon my knees, for the reinstating such of your servants, as i have been the unhappy occasion of their disobliging you. he raised me up, and said, my beloved pamela has too often been in this suppliant posture to me, to permit it any more. rise, my fairest, and let me know whom, in particular, you would reinstate; and he kindly held me in his arms, and pressed me to his beloved bosom. mrs. jervis, sir, said i, in the first place; for she is a good woman; and the misfortunes she has had in the world, must make your displeasure most heavy to her.

well, said he, who next? mr. longman, sir, said i; and i am sure, kind as they have been to me, yet would i not ask it, if i could not vouch for their integrity, and if i did not think it was my dear master's interest to have such good servants.

have you any thing further? said he.—sir, said i, your good old butler, who has so long been in your family before the day of your happy birth, i would, if i might, become an advocate for!

well, said he, i have only to say, that had not mr. longman and mrs. jervis, and jonathan too, joined in a body, in a bold appeal to lady davers, which has given her the insolent handle she has taken to intermeddle in my affairs, i could easily have forgiven all the rest of their conduct; though they have given their tongues no little license about me: but i could have forgiven them, because i desire every body should admire you; and it is with pride that i observe not only their opinion and love, but that of every body else that knows you, justify my own.—but yet, i will forgive even this, because my pamela desires it; and i will send a letter myself, to tell longman what he owes to your interposition, if the estate he has made in my family does not set him above the acceptance of it. and, as to mrs. jervis, do you, my dear, write a letter to her, and give her your commands, instantly, on, the receipt of it, to go and take possession of her former charge; for now, my dearest girl, she will be more immediately your servant; and i know you love her so well, that you'll go thither with the more pleasure to find her there.—but don't think, added he, that all this compliance is to be for nothing. ah, sir! said i, tell me but what i can do, poor as i am in power, but rich in will; and i will not hesitate one moment. why then, said he, of your own accord, reward me for my cheerful compliance, with one sweet kiss—i instantly said, thus, then, dear sir, will i obey; and, oh! you have the sweetest and most generous way in the world, to make that a condition, which gives me double honour, and adds to my obligations. and so i clasped my arms about his neck, and was not ashamed to kiss him once and twice, and three times; once for every forgiven person.

now, my dearest pamela, said he, what other things have you to ask? mr. williams is already taken care of; and, i hope, will be happy.—have you nothing to say for john arnold?